The Best Plant-Based Instant Pot Recipes [Winter Edition]

Whether you’re new to the Instant Pot or use it often, you know how time-saving it can be. It can help you get a complete meal ready with hardly any effort, making it the perfect kitchen gadget for busy weekdays.

Here are a few of my favorite plant based Instant Pot recipes that everyone will love!

Growing up my mom used her pressure cooker all the time. I never quite understood what it was or how it worked, I just know it cooked food really fast. She used it cook tougher cuts of meat very quickly (like for beef stew) and she also made an amazing Italian potato-green-bean-tomato dish that I still love today.

I love my Instant Pot, but when I first got it I had a hard time finding healthy, plant-based recipes that weren’t just variations of chili. Since then, I’ve done my research online and collected a few tasty recipes. Remember these Thanksgiving favorites?

To help you out this winter, I’ve curated this tasty roundup of 15 Dietitian-approved (aka super healthy and totally delicious!) plant-based recipes to make using your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. I hope you find one that you love!

Quinoa Porridge with Golden Milk

Emily Kyle calls this recipe sunshine in a bowl, and I can see why. She uses quinoa instead of oats and turmeric-rich golden milk, creating this beautiful colored porridge, perfect for those mornings when you’re on the go, but want something warm and hearty. Add in your favorite fruits and berries for some natural sweetness. Frozen Wild Blueberries would be perfect here!

No-Knead Instant Pot Whole Wheat Rosemary Bread

Raspberry French Toast Casserole

Warm, hearty and comforting, that’s what you get with this french toast casserole from the lovely ladies at Read Food Dietitians. This recipe is freezer-friendly, too, making it an easy option for busy weekdays. It’s also a great way to use leftover or stale bread. It tastes amazing and is guaranteed to impress. Mix things up by adding your favorite berries!

Butternut Squash Risotto

Making risotto can be tricky. This tasty combo of rice and broth requires a little more attention than your average dish, and may even be a little intimidating for some. That’s why I love this recipe from my dietitian friend, Kara Lydon. She achieves the same savory stove-top deliciousness with her Instant Pot. Try this recipe and you’ll have a restaurant-style risotto ready in under 40-minutes!

Lasagna with Red Lentils

Want some healthy comfort food? That’s exactly what you get with this recipe from Vegan Richa. What I like about this recipe is that you can make it as thick and creamy…or keep it light. The red lentils give this recipe an added protein and fiber boost, too which helps to keep you full.

Cacio e Pepe with Crispy Chickpeas

If you’re craving mac and cheese but want something a little healthier, I’ve got your back. Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest came up with this genius recipe incorporating crispy chickpeas with pasta. The result is delicious and bound to be a new favorite! This dish makes for a great packed lunch if you have leftovers, but I doubt you will.

BBQ Lentil Sloppy Joes

This easy Sloppy Joe recipe from Emilie Eats is the perfect balance between sweet, tangy and spicy. Add your favorite toppings…like avocado, mustard, lettuce, or red onions, and be sure to make some extra because everyone loves a Sloppy Joe!

Quinoa Enchiladas

My girl Alex is at it again with her Instant Pot take on traditional enchiladas. It’s high in fiber and protein from the quinoa and chock full of amazing Mexican flavor. Make a big batch of the enchilada sauce and freeze the leftover for next time.

Green Bean Casserole

I love Kara’s plant-based version of your classic Green bean casserole. Pin this recipe for next Thanksgiving and let your Instant Pot do the heavy lifting. It’s just as creamy and full of flavor as oven-baked, in just 30-minutes.

Mushroom and Lentil Stroganoff

I love this plant-based alternative to beef stroganoff from Rebecca at Nourish Nutrition. This recipe is perfect for cold winter nights and will warm you up this season.

Veggie Curry

This vegetarian curry recipe from Katie at Healthy Seasonal Recipes is one of my favorites! I love all types of curries and this one uses delicata squash, which is so fun. Of course you can add any veggie you want to this dish, and that’s what makes it great! Serve it over some brown rice for added texture.

Butternut Squash Soup

Cold winter weather and comforting soups always go hand in hand. This Instant Pot version from Whitney at the Sweet Cayenne is a go-to foolproof soup recipe. You can serve this soup immediately or save it for later and it tastes just as good.

Mexican Quinoa Stew

Sometimes you just want a good bowl of stew. And what’s better than a black bean and quinoa stew? The lovely Kate over at Cookie and Kate shares all her secrets for the perfect bowl. It’s full of fiber and protein that will keep you full and satisfied. Garnish with cilantro and lime for some zing!

Eggplant Parmesan

When it comes to eggplant, you either love it or you hate it. But this recipe from Alex at Delish Knowledge should convince even the haters. I would never have thought to use my Instant pot for Eggplant Parmesan, and now I’m hooked. She turns this somewhat laborious dish into easy peasy delish.

Instant Pot Applesauce

Applesauce is one of those things that once you know how to make it yourself, you’ll never buy it again. That’s why I love this instant pot recipe from Katie at Moms Kitchen Handbook. You can control the sweetness of your applesauce and add in your preferred spices. She uses a tasty mix of ginger and cinnamon in her recipe, but feel free to experiment!

The Best Plant-Based Instant Pot Recipes [Winter Edition] | Food Confidence (2024)

FAQs

Are Instant Pot meals healthy? ›

“Instant pot recipes are absolutely healthy as long as what you put in the recipe is healthy,” she says. The shorter cooking time may also result in the greater preservation of vitamins and minerals when compared to other longer types of cooking.

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Does Instant Pot count down when cooking? ›

It will say ON until the pot comes to pressure and then the timer will start counting DOWN. After the time has counted all the way down to zero the pot will beep 10 times. Then the display will start counting UP.

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Does the Instant Pot come with a recipe book? ›

Instant Pot comes with an owner manual and recipe book.

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Why shouldn't potatoes be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

Mostly we boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, but like rice, potatoes also contain a lot of starch. This is the reason why boiling or cooking in this pressure cooker is not considered good for health. If you still plan to use cooker for the same, add a lot of water and wash them thoroughly post cooking.

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Why don t chefs use Instant Pot? ›

They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.

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What are the disadvantages of an Instant Pot? ›

Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.

Does pressure cooking destroy nutrients in bone broth? ›

A pressure cooker will save you batch time and get you 75% of the nutrition benefits of bone broth. That being said, it will lack the additional nutrients and minerals which require long and slow simmer times to harvest from the bones and animal parts.

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What is healthier, a slow cooker or an Instant Pot? ›

When it comes to preserving nutrients, the Instant Pot's high-pressure cooking generally wins the battle. If you're looking for quick, healthy meals with minimal nutrient loss, the Instant Pot is your go-to. For rich, complex flavors and fall-off-the-bone tenderness, the slow cooker takes the crown.

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How long do instapots last? ›

If you're using your pressure cooker on a daily basis and investing in regular maintenance, it may last you up to five years. On average, though, most pressure cookers perform well for up to three years. After that, it's time to consider investing in a replacement.

Can I ignore food burn on Instant Pot? ›

While the burn notice on the Instant Pot can be alarming, it doesn't always mean your meal is ruined. Release the pressure quickly, check for malfunctions, and add more liquid if needed, scraping the bottom. To avoid the burn notice, include at least a cup of liquid and deglaze the pot after sautéing.

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Can you put too much in an Instant Pot? ›

Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn't cook properly. Also, an overly-full Instant Pot can lead to a clogged pressure release knob, because food and liquid can get sucked up inside.

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What's the first thing I should cook in my Instant Pot? ›

Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function. Then move on to a recipe that uses both the sauté and pressure cooker functions, like Kalua pork, or spaghetti with meat sauce (hands down my favorite Instant Pot recipe).

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Is Instant Pot owned by Pyrex? ›

Under different ownership after last year's bankruptcy, the popular multicooker is no longer part of the appliance conglomerate that owns Pyrex and Corelle.

Can I use Pyrex bowl in Instant Pot? ›

Your Instant Pot. A trivet. A sling (you'll need aluminum foil) An oven safe dish (like Pyrex or a Springform pan)

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Is there anything you can't make in an Instant Pot? ›

In general, Instant Pots do so much more than just pressure cooking and can be used as a rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer yogurt maker, sauté pan, and a meal warmer.

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What should you never put in a pressure cooker? ›

Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. The high heat and pressure can cause dairy products to curdle or separate, ruining the texture, taste and flavour of the dish. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers.

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Is Instant Pot not healthy? ›

Even though some studies suggest that pressure cooking isn't the best way to preserve nutrients in food, no research exists to suggest that pressure cookers of any model or brand pose health risks. If you're a fan of your Instant Pot, don't worry: You can continue to safely use your appliance without worry.

The Best Plant-Based Instant Pot Recipes [Winter Edition] | Food Confidence (2024)

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